Extending my sail quiver

Question
Dear Windlover,

When I bought my kit I got a JP X-cite Ride 130 L ES and a 6.0 m2 Gaastra Echo. I was recently gifted a 4.5 m2 Dunkerbeck branded sail from circa 2004  (I can't recall the "original brand" just now, maybe NP?). I have been thinking about extending my quiver further for the less windy days, i.e. get maybe a 7.0 or 7.5, maybe more? What do you think?
I would prefer something without cambers, but know that I cannot avoid them forever. What tips do you have, if I do have to go for a camber sail?

Kind regards
Jon - the "Windlover" from Denmark :-)

Answer
Hey Jon,

When you get above a 6.0 sail, the change in sizes usually is 1.5 vs. 1.0 when go below 6.0 and 0.5 when going below 5.0. I would recommend you look for a 7.5. With the newer sail designs, sails have a much broader wind range and it is just a matter of adjusting the downhaul to accomodate wider wind ranges.

As for avoiding cambers, unless you are buying sails 5 years old or older, most newer sails are designed without cambers. It used to be that one or two cambers was fairly normal unless you were using wave sails. Now you will only find cambers on slalom and race sails. It shouldn't be too hard to stay away from cambers. Cambers are not really a difficulty unless you get a full on race sail with 5-7 cambers. A sail with one or two cambers is still easy to rig and they do lock in the shape of the sail. There is usually a bit more power in a cambered sail but sometimes the wind range is not quite as broad.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover